Book Review: Disenchanted by Leigh Goff ~ #Witches #YA ~ @Leigh_Goff @MirrorWorldPublishing

Book Information:

Paperback: 266 pages

Publisher: Mirror World Publishing 

Release Date: June 1, 2015

ISBN-10: 0992049091

ISBN-13: 978-0992049096

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About the Book:

Sixteen-year-old Sophie Goodchild is an outcast among the ordinaries and her coven, but not because she’s untalented. Descended from a powerful Wethersfield witch, her spellcasting gift is awkwardly emerging, but that’s the least of her worries. The boy she’s forbidden to fall for, a descendant of the man who condemned her witch ancestor to hang, carries a dark secret that could destroy them both unless Sophie learns how to tap into the mysterious power of her diamond bloodcharm.

Disenchanted is a book that explores the lives of hideaway witches in Wethersfield, Connecticut. Descended from a long line of Wethersfield witches, Sophie Goodchild is actually having difficulties with her powers. She has the ability to spellcast but not in the traditional fashion. She finds that most of the spells she casts turn out incredibly wrong and put her and the underground witches in danger. You see, the descendant of the man who hung her witchy ancestor is a prominent figure in town and both of his sons are back. To be caught doing witchcraft means a shakedown of any business owned by the accused witch, and disappearance. Now, not only does the coven have to watch out for Judge Mathers and his groupies, his sons, Zeke and Alexavier are following in their father's footsteps. 

When Sophie has a bit of trouble with a stalker, she is surprised when none other than a Mather steps up to protect her. Alexavier and Sophie are drawn together even though they have been mortal enemies for centuries. To like a Mather is to renounce your claim to be a witch. Nothing good can come from fraternizing with the enemy. Yet, that's what Sophie and Alexavier do - he can't help but watch over her and she can't help but want to be around him as much as she can. 

Disenchanted is an amazing coming-of-age story with a paranormal twist. Sophie may be young, but she's been forced to deal with adult issues since she's a half-witch living in a town of regular townsfolk. I enjoy the interactions between Sophie and Alexavier. Sophie is a bit juvenile at times but she's only 16; I don't expect her to completely act like an adult. She's a little moody and whiny but what teenager isn't at one point or another?! We've all been a teenager - it's not easy. Add in a history of witchcraft, prejudices, and unjust deaths, and I'm not sure how any of the Wethersfield witches are sane. 

Leigh Goff penned quite the historical fiction, young adult paranormal novel. Her world building allowed me to visualize the story and play it in my head. I enjoyed all of the characters in Disenchanted, even the ones that stressed me out with their stupid accusations, judgments, and hypocrisies. Just because someone acts, lives, or practices differently than you or I doesn't mean it's wrong or should be stopped (in most cases anyway). Anyway (as I step off of my soapbox), the book is well-paced, engaged me from the beginning, and kept me interested from start to finish. And that ending - wow! The emotions I felt while reading this book were strong but the emotions I felt at the end were powerful. I was sad but hopeful at the same time.I was sent the book for review and it's taken me way too long to get to it, and for that I apologize. I'm sorry I waited so long to read a wonderful book.

My Rating: